Distingished economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman talks about current events (in 2002) with Open Mind host Richard D. Heffner.

Krugman is clearly puzzled by events which he describes as beyond imagining, and seems to believe that he is an inconsequential witness to what he sees as a society that has lost its way-- or worse, been a fluke of human history. Even so, he is compelled to bear witness to the social and political (and moral?) discrepancies and lack that describe our times.

Despite Heffner's profession of admiration for him, Krugman acknowledges that his influence, and the esteem of newspapers is small compared to the partisan persuasive power of FOX television, and Rush Limbaugh.

Unlike FOX or Limbaugh who specialize in giving answers, Krugman asks the questions (and suggests questions) that we all could be asking.

Some of the questions (maybe I added a few of my own):

Can the moneyed class have a conscience?

Is the US becoming a plutocracy?

What was the purpose and outcome of the 60s social revolution?

Are we in a social revolution, counterrevolution now?

Were the institutions created by the New Deal impermanent?

How is the public influenced?

What is the role of the media and government in society as it is today?

Krugman is struck by the blatant mendacity of the current Bush administration: why is it unchallenged? Why isn't it held accountable?